Jesus

Jesus, also known as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, or the Messiah, is the central figure of Christianity and is the Son of God. The name “Jesus” comes from the Hebrew name Yeshua, which means “God saves” or “God is salvation.” The name “Christ” derives from the Greek word “Christos,” which is a translation of the Hebrew term “Messiah,” meaning “anointed one.” Jesus is believed to have been born around 4 BCE in Bethlehem to Mary, a virgin, and her husband Joseph, a carpenter.

Early Life of Jesus

While Jesus’ family was from Nazareth, Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph. According to the Gospel of Matthew, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, informing him that Mary would give birth to a son who would save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-25). The Gospel of Luke tells the story of Mary being visited by the Angel Gabriel, who informed her that she would give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38).

Jesus’ childhood and early life are not described in detail in the Bible. However, the Gospel of Luke recounts an episode when Jesus was twelve years old, and he visited the Temple in Jerusalem with his family. When his family left for home, Jesus stayed behind and was found three days later discussing scripture with the Temple teachers, who were amazed by his understanding (Luke 2:41-52).

Jesus spent his childhood and formative years in the small town of Nazareth in the region of Galilee. Nazareth was an agricultural village with a modest population, and it did not have a prominent reputation at the time. It was said that “nothing good can come from Nazareth” (John 1:46). This phrase likely reflects the humble and insignificant status of the town in the eyes of many during that period.

Despite this, Jesus grew up in Nazareth, learning the trade of stoneworking from his father, Joseph (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). The Gospel of Luke states that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). This passage suggests that Jesus was well-regarded by those who knew him personally, even if the town itself was not highly esteemed.

Biblical Timeline

The Census of Quirinius

The Gospel of Luke provides an account of a census, known as the census of Quirinius, ordered by the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus during the time of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:1-5). Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the town of David, to be registered because Joseph was a descendant of David. The journey to Bethlehem was necessitated by the Roman practice of requiring people to register for the census in their ancestral home. It was during their stay in Bethlehem that Mary gave birth to Jesus. The account of the census serves as a backdrop to the story of Jesus’ birth and emphasizes the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

The Massacre of the Innocents

The Gospel of Matthew recounts the story of a tragic event that occurred shortly after Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:16-18). King Herod, the ruler of Judea, learned from the Magi, or wise men from the East, that a new king of the Jews had been born in Bethlehem. Feeling threatened by the prospect of a rival king, Herod ordered the slaughter of all male infants in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and younger, in an attempt to kill the newborn Messiah.

To escape Herod’s murderous intent, an angel warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus (Matthew 2:13-15). The family remained in Egypt until the death of Herod, after which they returned to their homeland and settled in Nazareth. This time in Egypt is stated by Matthew to be a Messianic fulfillment of a prophecy in Hosea 11:1, which says, “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.”

The massacre is a horrifying example of the lengths to which some rulers will go to protect their power and fulfills the prophecy found in the book of Jeremiah, which speaks of mourning and great weeping for the children of Israel (Jeremiah 31:15).

Baptism of Jesus

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. This event marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. The heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the form of a dove, while a voice from heaven declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22).

Jesus’ Ministry and Miracles

Jesus traveled throughout Judea and Galilee, teaching in synagogues, preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God, and performing many miracles. Some of these miracles include turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11), healing the sick (e.g., Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16), and raising the dead (e.g., John 11:1-44).

The Transfiguration

Jesus took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up a high mountain, where he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus, and a voice from heaven declared, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).

The Last Supper

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus shared a Passover meal with his disciples, known as the Last Supper. He instituted the Eucharist, telling his disciples that the bread was his body and the wine was his blood, given for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus

Jesus was arrested and tried before the Sanhedrin and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. He was sentenced to death by crucifixion and was crucified on a hill called Golgotha, also known as Calvary, outside Jerusalem. Jesus suffered on the cross for several hours before he finally cried out, “It is finished,” and died (Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-37).

[See page: The Crucifixion]

The Resurrection

Three days after his death, Jesus rose from the dead, as prophesied in the Scriptures. He appeared to his disciples and other followers on several occasions over a period of forty days, providing them with many convincing proofs that he was alive (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-53; John 20:1-21:25; Acts 1:1-11).

The Ascension

After his resurrection appearances, Jesus ascended into heaven in the presence of his disciples. He promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them and instructed them to spread the gospel to all nations (Acts 1:1-11).

The Teachings of Jesus

The teachings of Jesus, as recorded in the New Testament, focus on love, compassion, forgiveness, and the coming of the Kingdom of God. Some of the key messages and parables in his teachings include:

The Sermon on the Mount

Found in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount is one of the most famous collections of Jesus’ teachings. It includes:

• The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12): A series of blessings for those who embody particular virtues such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking.
• The importance of being “salt and light” in the world (Matthew 5:13-16): Jesus encourages his followers to be examples of goodness and to influence others positively.
• Teaching about the Law (Matthew 5:17-48): Jesus explains that he came to fulfill the Law, not to abolish it. He emphasizes the spirit of the Law rather than strict adherence to its letter.
• Instructions on prayer, fasting, and giving (Matthew 6:1-18): Jesus teaches his followers to practice these religious acts with sincerity and humility, not for show or recognition.
• The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13): Jesus provides a model for prayer that focuses on acknowledging God’s greatness, asking for daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from temptation.
• Encouragement to trust in God (Matthew 6:25-34): Jesus teaches his followers not to worry about material needs, but to seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first.
• Judging others (Matthew 7:1-5): Jesus warns against judging others, teaching that we should first examine our own faults before pointing out the faults of others.
• The Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12): Jesus teaches, “Do to others what you would have them do to you,” emphasizing empathy and compassion.

Parables

Jesus often used parables, or stories with a deeper meaning, to teach important lessons about the Kingdom of God and how to live a righteous life. Some of his most well-known parables include:

• The Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23; Mark 4:1-20; Luke 8:4-15): Jesus teaches about how people receive and respond to the message of the Kingdom of God.
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37): Jesus demonstrates the importance of showing compassion and love to all people, even those considered “outsiders” or enemies.
• The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32): Jesus teaches about God’s unconditional love and forgiveness, even for those who have strayed far from Him.
• The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27): Jesus emphasizes the importance of using our gifts and resources responsibly and for the benefit of God’s kingdom.

Love and Forgiveness

A central theme in Jesus’ teachings is the importance of love and forgiveness. He teaches that the two greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28). Jesus also emphasizes the importance of forgiving others, as God forgives us (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35).

Jesus’ teachings have had a profound impact on the lives of his followers and continue to shape the values and beliefs of Christians worldwide. They provide guidance on living a moral life, fostering strong relationships, and seeking spiritual growth.

The Miracles of Jesus

Jesus performed numerous miracles throughout his ministry as recorded in the New Testament. These miracles demonstrated his divine power and authority, and served to confirm his message and teachings. Here are some of the most notable miracles attributed to Jesus:

1. Turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11): Jesus turned six stone jars filled with water into wine, providing for the needs of the wedding guests and revealing his divine glory.
2. Healing of the paralytic (Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26): Jesus forgave the sins of a paralyzed man and healed him, enabling him to walk again, as a demonstration of his authority to forgive sins.
3. Feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15): Jesus miraculously multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a large crowd of over five thousand people, with twelve basketfuls of leftovers.
4. Walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-21): Jesus demonstrated his command over nature by walking on the Sea of Galilee during a storm, and he invited Peter to walk on water as well.
5. Healing the blind man (John 9:1-41): Jesus healed a man who was born blind by applying mud made from his saliva and instructing the man to wash in the Pool of Siloam. This miracle demonstrated Jesus as the light of the world.
6. Raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44): Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating his power over life and death and foreshadowing his own resurrection.
7. Healing the deaf and mute man (Mark 7:31-37): Jesus healed a man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking by touching the man’s ears and tongue and praying over him.
8. Casting out demons (e.g., Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39): Jesus demonstrated his authority over evil by casting out demons from people who were possessed, such as the man living among the tombs in the region of the Gerasenes.
9. Calming the storm (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25): Jesus demonstrated his command over nature by calming a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee with just a word, much to the amazement of his disciples.
10. Healing the centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10): Jesus healed the Roman centurion’s servant from a distance, praising the centurion’s faith as greater than any he had found in Israel.
11. Healing a man with a withered hand (Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11): Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, demonstrating that acts of mercy and compassion are appropriate even on the Sabbath day.
12. Healing a woman with a bleeding issue (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:24-34; Luke 8:43-48): Jesus healed a woman who had been suffering from constant bleeding for twelve years. Her faith in Jesus led to her healing, and he praised her for her faith.
13. Raising the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11-17): Jesus raised a widow’s only son from the dead during the funeral procession, demonstrating his compassion for the grieving mother and his power over life and death.
14. Healing a man born blind (John 9:1-41): Jesus healed a man who was born blind, demonstrating that he is the “light of the world” and providing an opportunity for the man and others to believe in him.
15. Feeding the four thousand (Matthew 15:29-39; Mark 8:1-10): Similar to the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus miraculously multiplied seven loaves of bread and a few small fish to feed a large crowd of over four thousand people, with seven basketfuls of leftovers.
16. Healing the Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30): Jesus healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman who was demon-possessed, acknowledging the woman’s great faith despite her being a Gentile.
17. Healing the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19): Jesus healed ten men with leprosy, but only one of them, a Samaritan, returned to thank him. Jesus praised the Samaritan’s gratitude and faith.
18. Cursing the fig tree (Matthew 21:18-22; Mark 11:12-14, 20-25): Jesus cursed a fig tree that had no fruit, causing it to wither. This act symbolized the judgment that would come upon fruitless and unfaithful Israel.
19. Restoring the servant’s ear (Luke 22:47-53; John 18:10-11): When Jesus was arrested, one of his disciples cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus miraculously healed the servant’s ear, demonstrating his commitment to peace and nonviolence.
20. Healing the crippled woman (Luke 13:10-17): Jesus healed a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. He performed the healing on the Sabbath, which led to controversy with religious leaders but demonstrated his compassion and the importance of doing good on the Sabbath.
21. Healing the boy with an evil spirit (Matthew 17:14-20; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43): Jesus healed a boy who was possessed by an evil spirit that caused him to have violent convulsions. Jesus’ disciples had been unable to cast out the spirit, but Jesus explained that this kind of spirit could only come out through prayer and fasting.
22. The miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11; John 21:1-14): On two separate occasions, Jesus instructed his disciples to cast their nets into the water, resulting in a miraculous catch of fish. These events demonstrated Jesus’ divine knowledge and power and symbolized the disciples’ future role as “fishers of men” who would spread the Gospel.
23. Healing the nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54): Jesus healed the son of a royal official who was near death. Jesus performed the healing from a distance, and the official believed in Jesus when he saw that his son had been healed at the exact time Jesus said he would be.
24. Healing of the man with dropsy (Luke 14:1-6): Jesus healed a man suffering from dropsy, a condition characterized by swelling due to an accumulation of fluid in the body. Jesus performed this healing on the Sabbath, leading to further controversy with religious leaders.
25. Healing of the two blind men (Matthew 9:27-31): Jesus healed two blind men who followed him, asking for mercy. When Jesus asked them if they believed he could heal them, they replied in the affirmative, and Jesus healed them according to their faith.
26. Healing the blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43): Jesus healed a blind beggar named Bartimaeus who cried out to him for mercy as Jesus was passing by. When Jesus asked Bartimaeus what he wanted, he requested his sight to be restored. Jesus healed him, praising his faith, and Bartimaeus followed Jesus.
27. Healing the man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37): Jesus healed a man who was possessed by an unclean spirit while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. The unclean spirit recognized Jesus as the Holy One of God and obeyed his command to come out of the man.
28. Healing Peter’s mother-in-law (Matthew 8:14-15; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38-39): Jesus healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, who was suffering from a high fever. After Jesus rebuked the fever, she was healed and began to serve Jesus and his disciples.
29. Healing the leper (Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16): Jesus healed a man with leprosy who came to him and asked to be made clean. Jesus compassionately touched the man and declared him clean, instructing him to show himself to the priests as required by the Law of Moses.
30. Healing the deaf and mute man (Matthew 9:32-34): Jesus healed a man who was mute due to being possessed by a demon. After Jesus cast out the demon, the man could speak, and the crowd marveled at Jesus’ power.
31. Healing the epileptic boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43): Jesus healed a boy suffering from epilepsy and demon possession after the disciples failed to do so. He rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, emphasizing the importance of prayer and faith when confronting spiritual challenges.
32. Healing a woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10-17): Jesus healed a woman who had been crippled by a disabling spirit for eighteen years. He performed the healing on the Sabbath, drawing criticism from religious leaders but emphasizing the importance of mercy and compassion.
33. Healing the blind and mute man (Matthew 12:22-37; Luke 11:14-23): Jesus healed a man who was blind and mute because of demon possession. Some accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, but Jesus refuted their accusations and taught about the unforgivable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
34. The coin in the fish’s mouth (Matthew 17:24-27): Jesus instructed Peter to catch a fish, and inside its mouth, Peter found a coin to pay the temple tax for both Jesus and himself. This miracle demonstrated Jesus’ divine knowledge and provision for their needs.
35. Healing Malchus’ ear (Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11): During Jesus’ arrest, Peter cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Jesus rebuked Peter for resorting to violence and miraculously healed Malchus’ ear, emphasizing his commitment to peace and nonviolence.
36. Jesus healing many in Capernaum (Matthew 8:16-17; Mark 1:32-34; Luke 4:40-41): After healing Peter’s mother-in-law, Jesus continued to heal many who were sick and demon-possessed in Capernaum, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:4.
37. Jesus performed various miracles in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56): After walking on water, Jesus and his disciples arrived in the region of Gennesaret. There, Jesus healed many who were sick as they touched the edge of his cloak.
38. Jesus healing various people in Tyre and Sidon (Mark 7:31): Following the healing of the Syrophoenician woman’s daughter, Jesus traveled through the region of Tyre and Sidon, performing unspecified miracles.
39. Jesus healing many in the Decapolis (Mark 7:31-37): After healing the deaf and mute man, Jesus continued to perform other unspecified miracles in the Decapolis, evoking the amazement of the crowds.
40. Jesus performed numerous unspecified miracles (John 20:30; John 21:25): The Gospel of John emphasizes that Jesus performed many other miracles not recorded in the Gospels. These additional miracles further demonstrated Jesus’ divine nature, but they remain unspecified.

These miracles showcased Jesus’ divine power and compassion, and they played a crucial role in validating his message and mission.

Additional Notes

Jesus, the fulfillment of the Old Testament

In the Gospels and throughout the whole New Testament, Jesus appears as the fulfillment of Old Testament revelation and the culmination of all previous providential developments. As Paul says, He came in “the fullness of the time” (Galatians 4:4). It has been shown through history that, politically, intellectually, and morally, the whole of the Greco-Roman world was specially prepared to accept and spread the universal religion Jesus brought into it. Similarly, Israel was prepared through the patriarchal, Mosaic, monarchical, and prophetic periods, and in the developments of the Jewish mind in the centuries immediately before Christ.

[See page: Christ in the Old Testament]

Extrabiblical References to Jesus

Josephus.
There is a passage in Josephus, Ant , XVIII , iii, 3, which starts by saying, “Now there was about this time, Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man.”  It is likely that Josephus had some reference to Jesus here originally, but many believe that this passage has been subject to Christian interpolation (on the lit. and different views, see Schurer, Jewish People in the Time of Christ , 504 II, volume II, 143 ff; in support of interpolation, Edersheim on “Josephus,” in Dictionary of Christ. Biography ).

Tacitus.
In a passage about the persecution of Nero, the Roman historian, Tacitus,  ( Ann. xv. 44), tells how the Christians were already “a great multitude” who derived their name “from one Christus, who was executed in the reign of Tiberius by the procurator of Judea, Pontius Pilate.”

Suetonius.
In his account of Claudius, Suetonius also speaks about the Jews being expelled from Rome due to the raising of tumults at the instigation of one named “Chrestus” (impulsore Chresto), Some believe this to a misspelling of the word “Christus” and a reference to the events described in Acts 18:2 .